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Rabbitfish Facts

Rabbitfish Facts
Rabbitfish, also known as spinefoot, is a saltwater fish that belongs to the rabbitfish family. There are 29 species of rabbitfish that can be found in the warm tropical waters of Indo-Pacific. Several species of rabbitfish reached and settled in the Mediterranean after construction of the Suez Canal. Rabbitfish usually inhabits coastal waters, lagoons and coral reefs. It can be found on a depth from 30 to 100 feet. Rabbitfish is popular as aquarium fish because of its colorful body. Several species of rabbitfish are commercially important (they are used as a source of food). Exact number of rabbitfish in the wild is unknown (they are yet to be classified).
Interesting Rabbitfish Facts:
Rabbitfish can reach 9.8 to 21 inches in length.
Most species of rabbitfish are olive or brown colored, with yellow, black and white markings on the body and tail. Some species have black stripes which stretch diagonally from mouth to the top of the head and cover the eyes.
All species of rabbitfish with prominent black stripes on the face are known as "foxfaced rabbitfish".
Rabbitfish is able to change the color of the body during the night or when it is faced with danger and to blend with the colors of its environment (to become nearly invisible).
Rabbitfish has elongated snout, large eyes, rabbit-like, small mouth (hence the name - rabbitfish) and oblong body. Its pelvic, dorsal and anal fins consist of stout spines and soft rays.
Rabbitfish is diurnal animal (active during the day). It often hides in the crevices of rocks during the night.
Rabbitfish is herbivore (plant-eater). Its diet is based mostly on algae. Some species of rabbitfish eat zooplankton and corals.
Rabbitfish is popular among aquarists because it eliminates seaweed (such as feather caulerpa) which often covers rocks and walls of aquariums.
Young rabbitfish often gather and feed in groups (also known as schools). Coral reefs provide both protection and ideal source of food for the young fish.
Some species of rabbitfish occupy and defend their territory.
Spiny fins of rabbitfish are equipped with venomous glands. Hardly detectable spines become prominent when rabbitfish are threatened. Even though rabbitfish are not aggressive by nature, they do not hesitate to stab predators in self-defense.
Most marine predators avoid rabbitfish because of their sharp, poisonous spines. Inappropriate handling of rabbitfish often results in painful injuries. Luckily, venom of rabbitfish is not life-threatening for humans.
Adult rabbitfish live in pairs. Males and females usually form couples when they reach length of 4 inches. Pairs often last until one of the partners die.
Little is known about reproductive behavior of rabbitfish except that they spawn (release eggs) at the open sea from March to May.
Rabbitfish can survive from 8 to 12 years in the captivity.


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